California State University Dominguez Hills

Political Science 101_03: American Institutions

Syllabus: Spring 2021

I. INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Professor: Sovathana Sokhom
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30 pm – 4:00pm via Zoom or by appointment
Office location: Zoom: https://csudh.zoom.us/j/87126101341
Office Phone number: (310) 243-2321
Political Science Dept.: (310) 243-3435
E-mail Address: ssokhom@csudh.edu

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is an introductory, survey course on various United States government topics. This course
includes A study of contemporary political institutions, with emphasis on the philosophy,
structure, and behavior of the American political system, including the State of California. Meets
State requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and Local government.

Course Objectives

Through this course, students will prepare for contemporary challenges by developing and
demonstrating the following core objectives:

 To help you learn the fundamentals of American government, politics, and policy.
 To improve your skills in evaluating, analyzing, and discussing the processes and content of
American government, politics, and policy.
 To help you to develop the basic skills of an active, participating citizen in the American
governmental system.
 To help you be aware of and be able to think critically about current events and policy
changes that affect our everyday lives in the United States of America today.
 Critical Thinking Skills: to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis,
evaluation and synthesis of information.
 Communication Skills: to include effective development, interpretation and expression of
ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
 Personal Responsibility: to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences
to ethical decision-making.
 Social Responsibility: to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility,
and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
 To gain knowledge and understanding of the foundation of the American political system,
including the Constitution and the founding principles of liberty and representation,
separation of powers, checks and balances.
 To gain knowledge and understanding of the policy making process, which is central to
understanding American democracy.
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 To build an appreciation and understanding of the role citizens, and other actors including
media, interest groups, political parties, businesses, civil society groups, play in shaping
American public policy and strengthening our democracy.
 To encourage participation in public life by recognizing students’ self-interest and a broader
civic interest.
 To gain knowledge and understand the system functions of the California state government.
 To use technology and a variety of multi-media tools to enhance our exploration and
understanding of American Political System.

Course Expectations and Requirements

The readings and assignments for this course will center on a unique set of materials. These
consist of a textbook as well as a number of other learning tools including primary source
readings, videos, and other media. All of these materials, as well as several brief quizzes and
assignments you will complete over the semester, have been assembled into a single bundle for
you to purchase and use throughout the course. They are:

 Kenneth Janda, Jeffrey M. Berry, Jerry Goldman, Deborah Schildkraut, and Paul
Manna. The Challenge To Democracy, 14th Edition. Boston: Cengage Learning,
2017. (which includes an E-book).
 MindTap Political Science for Kenneth Janda, Jeffrey M. Berry, Jerry Goldman,
Deborah Schildkraut, and Paul Manna. (This include with the Textbook).

 J. Theodore Anagnoson, et al. Governing California the Twenty-First Century.

Sixth Edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2017.

** The books are available at the CSUDH bookstore or online.

** Please be aware if you purchase a used textbook you will still need to purchase Connect
access code.

Read: Read the assigned material prior to Zoom class. You are expecting to discuss your
reading. The Zoom class is conducting as a collaborative learning environment. Each of you
will work with your classmates in small groups sharing your experiences and building on each
other’s knowledge and ideas.

Wrap it Up Quizzes: During the semester, there will be quiz after you read of each chapter
(pay attention to MindTap on the due date). These quizzes intended to make sure that you are
ready to start building on the foundation of your reading and strengthen your learning
experiences, thus, these quizzes counted toward your grade.

Writing assignments: Paper or other written assignments must type, double-spaced and should
use standard font (12-point Times-roman). Points will be lost for failure to comply with these
requirements.

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All essays and other written assignments are process through Turnitin.com for plagiarism
check. Direct copying of text from books, on-line resources, etc. as well as without proper
citation, or without putting what you have copied into proper documenting the correct source or
sources, will result in a zero grade for the assignment. More egregious plagiarism cases may
cause a zero grade for the entire class. Be careful, cite your sources.
Focus activities and Discussion: Pay attention on Focus Activities on MindTap and on the
due date. The assignments will be post in advance of deadlines and must be complete by the
due date.
Presentation and Paper: There will be group presentations in class. Each group consists of 4
to 5 people. Each group will assign a different topic to evaluate on American issues. Each group
is required to create a PowerPoint to present via Zoom for 20 to 25 minutes. In addition, turn
in a group paper (6 to 8 pages) on the topic that your group present toward the end of the
semester.

Academic integrity: Students have the responsibility to know and observe the requirements of
the California State University Dominguez Hills and student’s academic code of conduct. This
code forbids cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty that are intended to
gain unfair academic advantage. Violation of the California State University Dominguez Hills’
student academic code of conduct will result in disciplinary action. Standards of academic code
will be enforced in this course. Students are expected to report cases of academic dishonesty to
the course instructor.

E-mail: Feel free to email me with questions, and I will try to address them at my earliest
convenience. Before you emails me, please read all the information at the following link:
http://www.wikihow.com/Email-a-Professor/. I expect your email to have professional tone. In
your email, it must include Dear Professor Sokhom, your name, your class section (POL101-03),
and your questions.

Examinations: There will be two midterms and one final exam. Students are expected to take
the exams during the assigned date. Make-ups will be given only for serious documented of
emergencies. However, there will be no make up for missing the final exam.

Disabled Student Services: The University is committed to providing services for students with
verified permanent or temporary disabilities. Disabled Student Services provides a wide range
of facilities and services. For further information contact Disabled Student Services, WH D-
180, (310)243-3660(voice) or(310) 243-2028 (TDD).http://www3.csudh.edu/student-
affairs/dss/default.html.

Disruptive Behavior: CSUDH encourages students to exchange ideas in a safe, supportive, and
productive via Zoom environment in person and online. To facilitate this type of environment,
all course participants (students and instructors) are expected to engage with each other
respectfully and with common courtesy. Behavior that persistently or grossly interferes with the
flow of Zoom classroom discussion, makes fellow participants feel uncomfortable, or regularly
deviates from appropriate topics of conversation is considered disruptive behavior and may be
subject to disciplinary action. Such behavior inhibits other students' ability to learn and an
instructor's ability to teach. The instructor may require a student responsible for the disruptive
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behavior to leave Zoom class pending discussion and resolution of the problem and may report a
disruptive student to the Student Affairs Office (WH A-410, 310-243-3784) for disciplinary
action. (See student-rights: student-conduct-procedures-student-code-of-conduct).

Student Services
Go to the CSUDH current student information page: https://www.csudh.edu/current-students/
to find information on such things as MYCSUDH, Blackboard, Toromail, and the Tutoring
Center.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

To be successful in this course, you will need to have a basic knowledge of computer and
Internet functions. The following are minimal requirements: LAPTOP OR DESKTOP
COMPUTER: A laptopor desktop computer is required.

BLACKBOARD: You may access the course through Blackboard(Bb),

https://toro.csudh.edu/ultra/institution-page. Please ensure that your computer is compatible with
Bb.
- Blackboard Tutorials: http://www4.csudh.edu/it/services/blackboard/tutorials-
students/index
- If you have questions or need help setting up, please contact the CSUDH Information
Technology experts at https://csudh.service-now.com.

EMAIL: All email communications from this course will go through your Toromail. Toromail is
the CSUDH student email system. Please get in the habit of checking it at least once a day.

INTERNET: You must have Internet access to participate in this course.

OFFICE 365: Course work is to be submitted in Word format (.docx files). Active CSUDH
students have access to Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for personal desktop and laptop
computers at no cost.

ZOOM: This course will use Zoom web conferencing software for online meetings/office
hours/online lectures. Go to the Zoom download page to download and install the Zoom Client
for Meetings on your desktop or laptop. Zoom is also available for mobile and tablet devices on
the App Store(iOS) and Google Play(Android).
- Visit the CSUDH Academic Technology Tutorials page for information on using Zoom.
- Visit CSUDH Academic Technology Online Courses Technical Requirements for more
information on technology requirements: https://www.csudh.edu/academic-
technology/blackboard-lms-support/tutorials-students/

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Grade consists the following:

A = 93-100 A- = 90-92 B+ = 87-89 B = 83-86 B- = 80-82

C+ =77-79 C = 73-76 C- = 70-72 D + = 67-69 D = 60-66
Below 60 = Failing
Midterm #1, and 2 30%
Final Exam 20%
Presentation and paper 20%
Focus Activities, 10%
Watch and Consider, and
Wrap it Up Quizzes 10%
Group activities and Attendance 10%
Total 100%

III. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

After completing this course, a student who has earned an “A” will be able to:
(Students who earn a B, C or D will have demonstrated approximately levels of achievement at
85, 75 or 65%, respectively)
 Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts of American government
 Demonstrate an understanding of the system functions of participating institutions generally
and the following specifically: public opinion, mass media, political parties, the presidency,
congress and the courts.
 Describe and/or identify the meaning of rights, liberty and social/political responsibility.
 Describe and/or identify the system functions of the major components of the California
state government.
 Identify and describe major American political ideologies and explain prevailing ideological
stances on controversial and emerging political issues and politics.
 Demonstrate an ability to intelligently discuss current events and policy changes that affect
our everyday lives in the United States of America today.

IV. MODE OF INSTRUCTION

This is a synchronous course taught entirely online using ZOOM video conferencing software
and the CSUDH Course Management System, Blackboard (Bb).

Live Class Sessions via ZOOM will begin Tuesday, August 25. Unless otherwise specified, live
sessions will be held each Tuesday and Thursday until the end of the term (see POL101-04
Course Schedule for details). Attendance at Live Lecture Sessions is mandatory.

Office Hours via ZOOM will begin Tuesday, August 25. Unless otherwise specified, Office
Hours will be held each Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 am to 11:30 am via ZOOM. Students
may also schedule a meeting time outside of the regular office hours by emailing me at
ssokhm@csudh.edu

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Blackboard will be used to deliver course content, host discussion forums and student teams,
and administer quizzes and exams.
V. COURSE OUTLINE:
Date Reading
Part I: Dilemmas of Democracy
Week 1 Introduction
Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 1:
Freedom, order, or
Equality?
Week 2 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 2: Majoritarian
or Pluralist
Democracy?
Part II: Foundations of American
Government
Week 3 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 3: The
Constitution
Anagnoson, et al
- Chapter 2: The
Constitution and the
Progressive Legacy
Week 4 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 4: Federalism
Anagnoson, et al
- Chapter 7: The
California Judiciary
Activities Homework
Assignments:
On due Date by
11:59 pm
Introduction to the course
- Review of the syllabus &
course
- Team formation
* Watch and Consider: 1/31/2021
Freedom, Order, or Equality?
* Focus Activities: Freedom,
Order, or Equality?
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 1 Quiz
* Watch and Consider: 2/07/2021
Majoritarian or Pluralist
Democracy?
* Focus activities: Majoritarian
or Pluralist Democracy?
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 02 Quiz
* Watch and Consider: The 2/14/2021
constitution
* Focus Activities: The
Constitution
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 03 Quiz
=> Presentation: Group #1: 2/21/2021
American Federalism,
Immigration, and Refugee
Policy
* Watch and Consider:
Federalism
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Part III: Linking People with
Government
Week 5 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 5: Public
Opinion and Political
Socialization
Week 6 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 6: The Media
Anagnoson, et al
- Chapter 3: Interest
Groups and the Media
in California
Week 7 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 7:
Participation and
Voting
Anagnoson, et al
- Chapater 4: Parties and
Elections in California
Week 8 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 8: Political
Parties
Anagnoson, et al
- Chapater 4: Parties and
Elections in California
Week 9 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 9:
Nominations, Election, and
Campaigns
* Focus Activities: Federalism
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 04 Quiz
=> Presentation: Group # 2: 2/28/2021
Election and Public Opinion
about Government
* Watch and Consider: Public
Opinion and Political
Socialization
* Focus Activities: Public
Opinion and Political
Socialization
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 05 Quiz
* Watch and Consider: Media 3/07/2021
and Politics - First Midterm
* Focus Activities: Media and (Janda, et al,
Politics Chapter 1-5)
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 06 Quiz on 3/04/2021
=> Presentation: Group # 3: 3/14/2021
Political Participation and
Freedom, Equality, and Order
* Watch and Consider: Voting
* Focus Activities: Voting
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 07 Quiz
=> Presentation: Group # 4: 3/21/2021
The Differences in Party
Ideology
* Watch and Consider:
Political Parties
* Focus Activities: Political
Parties
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 08 Quiz
=> Presentation: Group # 5: 3/28/2021
Political Parties Campaign
* Watch and Consider:
Campaigning for Office
*Focus Activities: Campaigns
and Election
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Week No Class
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Week 11 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 10: Interest
Group
Anagnoson, et al
- Chapater 3: Interest
Groups and the Media
in California
Part IV: Institutions of Government
Week 12 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 11: Congress
Anagnoson, et al
- Chapter 5: The
California Legislature
Week 13 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 12: The
President
Anagnoson, et al
- Chpater 6: The
Governor and the
Executive Branch
Week 14 Janda, Berry, Goldman,
Schildkraut
- Chapter 13: The
Bureaucracy
Anagnoson, et al
- Chapter 9: Local
Government
Week 15  Janda, Berry, Goldman,
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 09 Quiz
Spring Recess
=> Presentation: Group # 6: 4/11/2021
Lobbying Tactics
* Watch and Consider: Interest
Groups
* Focus Activities: Interest
Groups
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 10 Quiz
* Watch and Consider: 4/18/2021
Congress - Midterm 2
* Focus Activities: The (Janda, et al -
Congress Chapter 6, 7, 8, 9,
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 11 Quiz and 10;
Anagnoson, et al –
Chapter 2, 3, and
4) on 4/15/2021
- Presentation: Group # 7: The 4/25/2021
President as National Leader
* Watch and Consider: The
Presidency
* Focus Activities: The
Presidency
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 12 Quiz
- Presentation: Group # 8: 5/02/2021
Reforming the Bureaucracy Paper due on
Thursday April
* Watch and Consider: The 29, 2021
Bureaucracy
*Focus Activities: The
Bureaucracy
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 13 Quiz
- Presentation: Group# 9: The 5/09/2021
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 Schildkraut Consequences of Judicial
- Chapter 14: The Courts Decisions
Anagnoson, et al
- Chapter 7: The California * Watch and Consider: The
Judiciary Judiciary
- Chapter 14: The Courts * Focus Activities: The
Judiciary
* Wrap It Up: Chapter 14 Quiz
- Thanksgiving (No class on
Thursday)
Week 16 Anagnoson, et al - Presentation: Group# 10: 5/16/2021
- Chapter 8: The State Who Gets Water in California
Budget and Budgetary
Limitations
- Chapter 10: Public
Policy in California
Final - Final Exam Tuesday May
Week - Janda, et al, chapter: 11-14 18, 2021
- Anagnoson, et al, Chapter:
5-10

**Syllabus: Please note that the instructor reserves the right to alter the syllabus due to need and emergent
circumstances. Students will be advised about any change made to the syllabus.

I understand the terms of the course expectations and ALL requirement._______________

initials/date.